Towel with one or more openings

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a towel having one or more openings that are sized to accept one or more fingers of a user using the towel is provided. In one aspect of at least one embodiment, the one or more openings are substantially circular in shape and at least one opening is located generally in the center of towel and configured to allow the user of the towel to enter one of more fingers through the opening to grasp and handle the object that the user is cleaning or drying with the towel. In another embodiment, the openings contain an elastic member or flap that grips the finger of the user that is using the towel to clean or dry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a towel having one or more openings with features to assist the user of the towel and as they handle, clean and dry items with the towel. In one embodiment, the towel has one or more openings located roughly in the middle of the towel and the openings are configured to so that the user can slip one or more of their fingers (including but not limited to the users thumb) through the opening thereby allowing the user to securely handle and manipulate and grip the items being cleaned and/or dried easier and more effectively and avoiding slippage of the items the user is cleaning and/or drying. The invention has various benefits including but not limited to making drying, cleaning and the general use of the towel easier and more efficient and providing a towel that is easier to use and manipulate items for those with mobility, strength limitations or physical or mental disabilities or handicaps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It should be appreciated that the towel of the present disclosure can be made of any material that towels are known to be made of and in any shape that is desirable, including but not limited to circular, oval, square, rectangular, oblong or any other shape that might be desirable for the user. It should also be appreciated that the specific embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to limit the invention in any way, which is defined by the claims below.

In one embodiment, a towel with one opening is provided and the user of the towel can insert one or more of their desired finger through the one opening to grasp the item that they are cleaning or drying with the towel.

In yet another embodiment, a towel with two or more openings is provided so the user of the towel can insert more than one finger through the two or more openings and grasp the items that the user is cleaning or drying with their fingers while they are using the towel to dry or clean the item.

In one aspect of at least one embodiment, the opening includes an elastic member that is attached to the opening in the towel. The elastic member of the one or more openings grips the one or more fingers of the users and allows the towel to stay in place on the user's one or more fingers while the user cleans or dries the object.

In another aspect of at least one embodiment, the elastic member of the one or more openings sewed or stitched into place at the edge of the one or more openings. The elastic member provides grip or tension around the user's finger that is inserted into the one or more openings allowing the towel to stay in place while the user dries or cleans the object.

In yet another aspect of at least one embodiment, the elastic member is a more than one flaps made of any suitable material (e.g., rubber or plastic) sewn into openings of the towels. The flaps grip onto the object (e.g., the user's finger) that is inserted into the opening.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the one or more openings are created by making slits in the towel material in the general shape of an asterisk and folding back each generally triangular shaped portion of the towel onto the appropriate sized circular member that creates the one or more holes.

In yet another aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the openings is large enough to accommodate the thumb of the user.

In yet another aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, the one or more openings are sized to accept the fingers of a user such that they grasp the finger of the user and hold the user's fingers in place while the user uses the towel to clean and dry.

In yet another aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, the one or more openings are sized to accept the fingers of a user such that they grasp the finger of the user and hold the user's fingers in place while the user uses the towel to clean and dry.

In yet another aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention, each generally triangular shaped portion of the towel is stitched to an appropriately sized flexible or semi-rigid circular member independently so that each generally triangular shaped portion is independently attached to the circular member. Among other things, the use of a flexible or semi-rigid circular member allows the opening to expand and contract in size allowing various finger and thumb sizes to be gripped by the circular member of the towel and allow the towel to stay in place on the user without additional effort or movement by the user. The use of a flexible or semi-rigid circular member also allows medical or other instruments to be inserted and gripped by the opening in the towel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1. shows one embodiment of the present invention showing a circular towel having one opening in the center of the towel.

FIG. 2. shows another embodiment of the present invention having five openings located generally near the center area of the towel and with the openings spaced and configured relative to one another in a way that allows one or more fingers of the user of the towel or an instrument to go through one or more of the openings and grip the item that the user is drying and/or cleaning.

FIG. 3. shows yet another embodiment of the present invention having one opening close to the edge of the towel.

FIG. 4. shows yet another embodiment of the present invention having three openings with at least one of the openings closer to the center of the towel than the other two openings.

FIG. 5 show yet another embodiment of the present invention having two openings with at least one of the openings closer to the center of the towel than the other opening.

FIG. 6 show yet another embodiment of the present invention having one opening generally at the center of the towel and the opening including an elastic member is stitched into place in the towel that allows the towel to grasp one or more of fingers of the user of the towel.

FIG. 7 show yet another embodiment of the present invention having one relatively larger opening generally at the center of the towel and an elastic member attached to the relatively larger opening creating a generally oval shaped opening near the center area of the towel that allows the user of the towel to insert one or more fingers through the opening in the towel.

FIG. 8 show yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein the opening includes flaps that are attached into the opening of the towel that allow the user of the towel to grasp onto one or more fingers of the user of the towel.

FIG. 9 show yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein the towel is generally square in shape and includes one opening near the center of the towel and demarcations on the towel that create a smiling face image.

FIG. 10 show yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein the towel is generally circular in shape and includes one opening and demarcations on the towel that create a smiling face image.

FIG. 11 show yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein the towel is generally circular in shape and includes one opening with an elastic member that is design to grip and hold one or more of the users fingers and the triangular portions of the towel center and folder back and stitched into place creating the one opening.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The inventions of the present disclosure provide a towel that can be made of any absorbent material or materials and be in any shape and contain any design or no design. The inventions of the present disclosure provide a towel with any thickness that may or may not include a lining or edge that allows the user to clean and/or dry items with the lining or edge of the towel.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a towel with one opening generally in the center of the towel is provided. The opening allows the user better grip a slippery item that the user is drying or cleaning with the towel and allows the user to use their other free hand to dry or clean the item with the towel.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a towel with three openings is provided. The three openings allow the fingers of the user using the towel to directly hold a delicate item that is being cleaned or dried while the free hand manipulates the towel making cleaning or drying the item easier and more efficient. In one aspect of at least one embodiment, at least one of the openings would be near the edge of the towel. This provides various benefits and advantages, including but not limited to, allowing the towel to drape from the hand that has one or more fingers through the opening and the draping towel can be manipulated using the user's free hand.

In another aspect of at least one embodiment, the openings are arranged to be in the general shape of an acute triangle. The triangular shape of the openings would allow the users thumb and two other fingers to be inserted into the openings in such a way that allows the user to hold the object being cleaned or dried with the three fingers that have gone through the openings while allowing the user's other free hand to manipulate the towel to clean or dry the object.

In another aspect of at least one embodiment, the towel has one opening at the edge of the towel. This allows on a handicapped individual could insert a thumb or finger into the hole placed at the edge of the towel and use the towel with either hand. This configuration allows a user who may not have optimal control over their hands to keep a towel from falling out of their hands.

It should be appreciated that the present invention provides various benefits and advantages, including but not limited to allowing the user to put one or more fingers through the openings of the towel, allowing the user to grasp, hold and manipulate an object they are cleaning or drying with the towel while using their other fingers or their free hand to clean and dry the object. Among other things, this makes it easier for anyone using the towel, including those with motor or cognitive impairments, to firmly grasp and item and clean or dry it using a towel.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the present invention of the towel 2 having one opening 3 in the center of the towel configured to accept one or more fingers of the user of the towel 2.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention of a towel 2 having five openings 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 located generally near the center area of the towel and with the openings 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 spaced and configured relative to one another in a way that allows one or more fingers of the user of the towel or an instrument to go through one or more of the openings and grip the item that the user is drying and/or cleaning.

FIG. 3 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention of a towel 2 having one opening 14 close to the edge of the towel 2.

FIG. 4 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention of a towel 2 having three openings 16, 18 and 20 with at least one of the openings 20 closer to the center of the towel 2 than the other two openings 16 and 18.

FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention of a towel 2 having two openings 22 and 24 with at least one of the openings 22 closer to the center of the towel than the other opening.

FIG. 6 show yet another embodiment of the present invention of a towel 2 having one opening 28 generally at the center of the towel 2 and the opening including an elastic member 26 is stitched into place in the towel 2 that allows the towel to grasp one or more of fingers of the user of the towel.

FIG. 7 show yet another embodiment of the present invention of a towel 2 having one relatively larger opening 30 generally at the center of the towel and an elastic member 26 attached to the towel at the relatively larger opening 30 creating a generally oval shaped opening near the center area of the towel 2 that allows the user of the towel 2 to insert one or more fingers through the opening in the towel 2.

FIG. 8 show yet another embodiment of the present invention of a towel 2 wherein the opening includes flaps 34 that are attached into the opening 32 of the towel 2 that allow the user of the towel to grasp onto one or more fingers of the user of the towel.

FIG. 9 show yet another embodiment of the present invention of a towel 2 wherein the towel 2 is generally square in shape and includes one opening 40 near the center of the towel and includes demarcations on the towel that create a smiling face.

FIG. 10 show yet another embodiment of the present invention of a towel 2 wherein the towel 2 is generally circular in shape and includes one opening 42 and demarcations on the towel that create a smiling face image. The demarcations shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 can be made using any method known in the art and may be changed from a smiling face to something else to accommodate user preference and current trends or the design of the user. Marker, paint, adhesive or any other method of demarking the towel material can be used.

FIG. 11 show yet another embodiment of the present invention of a towel 2 wherein the towel 2 is generally circular in shape and includes one opening 50 that includes an elastic member 54 which can grasp the one or more fingers a user inserts into the opening. In at least on embodiment, the fabric at the center of the opening is cut and folded back into triangular sections 52 and 56 which can be stitched into place to create the opening for the users finger or finders.

One of the various benefits and advantages of the present invention include but are not limited to the fact that the use, depending on their ability, strength, dexterity and use, can choose the embodiment that best suits the user. For example and not by way of limitation, the user with a high level of ability, strength and dexterity might prefer the design of towel 2 that only includes one opening because their ability, strength, dexterity and other factors will allow them to properly hold and manipulate the object they are cleaning and or drying with the towel with only one finger through the one opening 3 of the towel 2.

Another benefits or advantage is that a user of towel 2 that may have less ability, strength and/or dexterity and may prefer to use the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, which includes 5 openings allowing the user to insert multiple fingers into the openings to more firmly and securely hold the object the user is cleaning or drying.

Yet another benefit and advantage of the invention shown and described herein is that the openings of the towel 2 are arranged relative to each other in such a way that the fingers of the user can enter the openings without the user′ fingers being restricted or uncomfortable and allowing the user to freely and easily hold and manipulate the items that they are cleaning or drying with the towel because of the location of the openings relative to each other.

Yet another benefit and advantage of the prevent invention shown and described herein is that the one or more openings contain an elastic member that grasps the users one or more fingers (or an instrument if an instrument is used) so that the towel 2 stays in place on the user's one or more fingers when they are using the invention.

Yet another benefit and advantage of the present invention is that it can be used with specialized tools to allow the tools to interact with the object being dried or the user without the towel 2 getting in the way.

In one embodiment of the invention, a towel is provided having one or more openings in the towel wherein each opening is sized to accept at least one finger of a user using the towel. The opening can be sized to accept any figure of the user or more than one finger of the user to allow the user to grasp and manipulate the items that is being dried or cleaned.

In another embodiment, the towel 2 is substantially circular or oval in shape and the one or more openings are substantially circular or oval in shape. This allows the user's one or more fingers or a specialized tool (e.g., robotic art that grasps a tool or perform a task like making a surgical incision in a patient) to comfortably enter the one or more openings

In yet another embodiment, the one or more openings of the towel 2 are substantially circular in shape. The circular shape allows, among other things, a user's one or more fingers or a specialized tool to easily enter the opening and grasp and manipulate the items being dried or cleaned.

In yet another embodiment, the one or more openings the towel 2 include at least one elastic member that grasps the one or more fingers of the user using the towel when the user one or more fingers are inserted into the one or more openings. The elastic member is attached to the one or more openings and grips the user's one or more fingers or the specialized tool that is inserted into the one or more openings allowing the towel to remain firmly on the user's fingers or the specialized tool

In yet another embodiment, the elastic member of the towel 2 is sewed into the one or more openings of the towel and is comprised any material know in the art that expands and contracts (e.g., plastic or rubber).

In yet another embodiment, the one or more openings of the towel 2 are located in the center area of the towel allowing the user to use the majority (if not all) of the surface area of the towel to clean or dry the object.

In yet another embodiment, the one or more openings of the towel 2 are created by making slits in the towel in the general shape of an asterisk and folding back each generally triangular shaped portion of the towel onto the elastic member that creates the one or more holes.

In yet another embodiment, a towel 2 with one opening where the opening is in the center area of the towel and the opening is sized to accept one finger of a user using the towel is provided.

In yet another embodiment, a towel 2 with at least three openings is provided wherein at least one of the openings is in the center area of the towel and the opening is sized to accept the thumb of the user using the towel. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A towel comprising; one or more openings in the towel wherein each opening is sized to accept at least one finger of a user using the towel.
 2. The towel of claim 1, wherein the towel is substantially circular or oval in shape and the one or more openings are substantially circular or oval in shape.
 3. The towel of claim 1, wherein the one or more openings are substantially circular in shape.
 4. The towel of claim 1, wherein the one or more openings include at least one elastic member that grasps the one or more fingers of the user using the towel when the user one or more fingers are inserted into the one or more openings.
 5. The towel of claim 4, wherein the elastic member is sewed into the one or more openings of the towel and is comprised of plastic or rubber material.
 6. The towel of claim 1, wherein the one or more openings are located in the center area of the towel.
 7. The towel of claim 4, wherein the one or more openings are created by making slits in the towel in the general shape of an asterisk and folding back each generally triangular shaped portion of the towel onto the elastic member that creates the one or more holes.
 8. A towel comprising; one opening in the towel wherein the opening is in the center area of the towel and is sized to accept one finger of a user using the towel.
 9. The towel of claim 8, wherein the towel is substantially circular or oval in shape and the opening is substantially circular or oval in shape.
 10. The towel of claim 8, wherein the opening is substantially circular in shape.
 11. The towel of claim 8, wherein the opening include at least one elastic member that grasps the finger of the user using the towel.
 12. The towel of claim 11, wherein the elastic member is sewed into the one or more openings of the towel and is comprised of plastic or rubber material.
 13. The towel of claim 8, wherein the elastic member of the opening is sized to accept the thumb of the user.
 14. The towel of claim 11, wherein the one or more openings are created by making slits in the towel in the general shape of an asterisk and folding back each generally triangular shaped portion of the towel onto the elastic member that creates the one or more holes.
 15. A towel comprising; at least three opening in the towel wherein at least one of the openings is in the center area of the towel and is sized to accept the thumb of the user using the towel.
 16. The towel of claim 15, wherein the towel is substantially circular or oval in shape and the openings are substantially circular or oval in shape.
 17. The towel of claim 15, wherein the openings are substantially circular in shape.
 18. The towel of claim 15, wherein the openings include at least one elastic member that grasps the fingers of the user using the towel.
 19. The towel of claim 18, wherein the elastic member is sewed into the one or more openings of the towel and is comprised of plastic or rubber material.
 20. The towel of claim 18, wherein the elastic member of the openings are sized to accept the thumb and two index fingers of the user. 